Recently-elected Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City formally took his oath of office Tuesday morning, accompanied by a large crowd of family, fellow legislators and supporters.

Brooks, an attorney, received more than 54 percent of the vote in the District 44 race in the southwest Oklahoma City metro area, defeating Republican Joe Griffin. Both Brooks and Griffin unsuccessfully campaigned for the Legislature in the past; Brooks ran for the same seat in 2014 and Griffin lost a House race during the 2016 election cycle.

Brooks succeeds former Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, who resigned March 22, six days after he was charged with three prostitution-related crimes and one week after he was stripped of much of his legislative authority by his fellow senators.

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, who also serves as Senate president, personally welcomed Brooks to the Legislature, describing him as a man of passion and conviction. He advised Brooks to always keep his family a priority during his time at the Capitol.

"This is amazing," Brooks told attendees in an almost full to capacity Senate chamber, adding he was overwhelmed and humbled at the opportunity granted to him by the voters of his district.

"I want people to know is that this campaign wasn't just about me. This campaign was about each and every person in this room," he said. "People who donated to this campaign, people who volunteered for this campaign and people who prayed for me during the time that this campaign was going on…everybody here is important."

In an interview after taking the oath, Brooks said he was excited and ready to learn as he prepares for his first session as a legislator.

"I'm the first to acknowledge that I've got a lot to learn but I'm excited for the opportunity," he said.

Areas of interest he identified include the state budget as well as addressing Oklahoma's education issues, including fully funding education and identifying solutions for the teacher shortage.

Ricky Burns and Chalk Norton along with some of Tulsa's fire fighters attended the A.C. Hamlin banquet and were honored by the Oklahoma Black Legislative Caucus

OKC 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

343 firefighters will climb 110 floors to honor
the FDNY 343 and to commit to the promise of "Never Forget".

President Ricky Burns was one of fifty IAFF members who recently completed the week long IAFF Communications Training Academy.